6 Things You Never Knew Your LinkedIn Says About You
/It’s 2019, yet your LinkedIn hasn’t changed since 2009. You’ve heard it said time and time again how important a LinkedIn profile, and you have heard RIGHT. But, a bad LinkedIn could be worse than no LinkedIn at all. A LinkedIn tells an employer if you can succeed in the modern world. What does yours say about you?
I am a recruiter and I look over hundreds of candidate’s resumes on Indeed each day. The moment I am interested in your resume, I look you up on LinkedIn. And the moment I send your resume to an employer, they look you up on LinkedIn. Companies want to see what your online presence looks like and if you aren’t careful, you could be telling them something they don’t want to hear!
1. Whether you exist or not.
This is the most obvious one but probably the most important. LinkedIn is the way of recruiters and hiring managers. They either look you up after receiving your resume or find you there in the first place. If a recruiter receives your resume and can’t find you on LinkedIn, you basically don’t exist. And your chances of getting a job don’t either. We have had companies tell us that if someone doesn’t have 500 or more connections on LinkedIn then they don’t even want to talk to them.
2. Can you even work a computer?
Look, for most jobs you do not have to be a computer genius. You just need a basic knowledge of some Microsoft programs, email, and how to put together a last-minute PowerPoint. But you WILL have to use a computer at some point. If you can’t even bother to figure out how to upload a profile picture or add your most recent job on LinkedIn, that is a red-flag for anyone looking to make a hiring decision. On the other hand, if you have a well-put together profile with a professional profile picture, cover photo, and everything filled out you will stand out as someone who is definitely worth a call!
3. Are you a liar or a truth-er?
I can’t tell you how many times I have looked at a Resume and back at a LinkedIn profile to wonder if these were even the same people! The worst part about it is a lot of times this can make you seem dishonest. If your LinkedIn profile and resume do not match exactly companies may think you have something to hide. I’ve seen it before and it caused someone to miss out on a great opportunity! Keep you LinkedIn up-to-date and you will avoid a lot of confusion and the need to back-pedal during an interview.
4. Can you work in an office setting?
Don’t get me started on the amount of plain out AWFUL profile pictures I have seen on LinkedIn. After a company looks at your resume, they look you up on LinkedIn because they are curious of what you look like. If you have a grainy photo of a low-angle selfie you took in the car... That tells a recruiter that you can’t work in an office setting. You don’t need a professional photographer to have a professional profile photo - just an iPhone and good lighting! Make sure you have a smile, you are dressed sharp, and it is a high-quality photo of just you and let your personality shine!
5. Just how desperate you are
Have you seen this LinkedIn Headlines: “Unemployed at Unemployed Seeking Employment”. What this translates to a recruiter: “I lost my job and now no one will hire me.” There are many reasons you may be unemployed and there is no shame in that, but your headline is no place to declare it from the mountaintops... it comes off as desperate. Instead, talk about your experience in your header and what you bring to the table. “Accomplished Management Professional Seeking New Opportunities” would work much better.
6. Are you “The One”?
This is the most important thing you want your LinkedIn to say about you. Do you have what it takes to work at our company? Your experience is a must, but they also need to know that you can survive in the modern office setting. Put the time into your LinkedIn profile to make it look great. You’ll be glad you did.
